NORFOLK, Va. — Security officers at Norfolk International Airport stopped a Virginia Beach man from bringing his handgun onto a flight Thursday morning, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said.
The 9mm gun was loaded with 15 bullets, according to TSA. It was caught at a security checkpoint after the X-ray alert went off on his carry-on bag.
Shortly after, police took over the investigation and cited the man on a weapons charge, TSA said. He also faces a financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint.
TSA said the case will be forwarded to the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney for possible criminal prosecution.
Robin Burke, TSA’s federal security director for the airport, says, “The frequency with the number of travelers that we see bringing their guns to our security checkpoints continues to be alarming.”
In 2023, 29 guns were intercepted at the airport, which was a record.
Passengers are only permitted to travel with unloaded firearms in checked baggage. TSA has details on its website on how to properly travel with a firearm.